But the pilots are likely to be reprimanded for a mishap that could have been disastrous, ABC News aviation consultant John Nance said.

“There is a very high propensity for a collision, especially if you’ve got a large airplane making this mistake into a smaller airport,” Nance said.

The Boeing 737-700 took off at Chicago’s Midway International Airport and was supposed to land at Branson Airport. A relief plane later brought the passengers from the proper Branson airport onto Dallas.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.